Launch of all new Part P electrical contractors register

gazza — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 23:00:00 +0000

gazza Thu, 03/07/2014

Monday 30th June 2014 saw the new competent person electrical directory website, which lists all full scope competent registered domestic electricians in England and Wales, go live.
The new website is known as Registered Competent Person was launched with a single quality mark which was created following an agreement made by all full scope electrical Competent Person Scheme Operators.
About Electrical Competent Person
Electrical Competent Person is the only Government endorsed register to list all fully qualified and Part P registered electricians who operate in England and Wales. It operates on line only through it's own dedicated website and mark created to signify quality.
The website www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk and the quality mark were developed by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) approved scheme providers in a bid to make a single point of reference for all electricians. The aim is to make it easier for the public to find a reputable electrician to carry out work in their homes.
Although there has been much publicity surrounding the electrical competent person register in recent weeks, it was only officially launched on the 2nd July by the Minister for Communities and Local Government Stephen Williams MP at the Palace of Westminster.
Why was the register created?
Following in depth Government lead discussions, it was apparent that the public does not have sufficient knowledge to know where to find a suitable electrician to work in their home. One of the main reasons for this was that there was no single place where only fully qualified and registered electricians could be found.
Previously the scheme providers operated 2 main registers which only added to the confusion, these 2 main registers have now ceased to form one main register known as Electrical Competent Person.
“With several registers in operation the marketplace had become confusing for householders,” commented Mr Williams, who also gave a key note speech to a wide array of industry stakeholders and MP’s at the official launch.
“Government asked all Competent Scheme Operators to unite and create one site for all registered electricians and we are delighted at the co-operation and work that has gone into making this achievable. The consumer focused website, featuring an easy to use search facility, and electrical competent person logo are all designed to make finding a registered, competent, electrician easier than ever before. Homeowners need to be aware of the dangers involved when carrying out work around their home. The creation of www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk will raise consumer awareness about this issue significantly.”
More about the new mark
The new mark was created to be recognisable as a mark of quality to consumers. Featuring an instantly recognisable plug and socket design, all electricians featured on Electrical Competent Person are able to display it on their vans, websites and promotional materials. The mark is intended to recognise not only quality but also the unrivaled support available such as the work quality guarantee offered by all electricians on Electrical Competent Person.
Both the mark and register have the full support of the DCLG and the consumer electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First who will spearhead a targeted consumer marketing campaign to highlight the register and raise levels of consumer electrical safety significantly.
Emma Clancy, Chief Executive Officer of Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands said: “Choosing someone to carry out work in your home is a decision that should never be taken lightly. Consumers now have just one name and one easily recognisable mark to remember and they can be reassured that everyone listed on the site has had a sample of their work checked and assessed in accordance with the required electrical standards.”
NAPIT Group Chief Executive Officer, Michael Andrews added: “The creation of this site and mark are evidence of the strides being taken by the industry to come together for the greater good.
It is not only an added benefit for consumers but also a mark that registered electrical firms can be proud to be associated with. All Full Scope installers carrying out electrical work in dwellings in England and Wales can be easily identified via the new mark and their company details listed on the user-friendly register.”
How the register will be monitored
All electricians on the register will be regularly assessed to be deemed competent to legally self certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations (England and Wales.)
Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Home Safety Group who hosted the launch of the new register, said: “It is great to see industry coming together for the sake of improved electrical safety in homes across England and Wales. I look forward to seeing how this new initiative makes the process of finding an electrical contractor easier and safer for householders.”

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electrical competent person